★「as S + V」「 if S + V 」「when S + V」「 since S + V」などの副詞節の中では、未来のことでも動詞は「現在形」をとります。 If
the hurricane hits
the coastal area tomorrow, ferry service will have to be canceled.
★wishが用いられる仮定法過去では、that節中の動詞は「過去形」をとり、be動詞の場合は主語に関わらず「were」となります。 I wish
he were
here. I wish
that it were
rainy today.
★仮定法過去…現在の事実と反対の仮定、または現時点で実現不可能なことを表します。
基本型は「If + S + 過去形, S + 助動詞過去 + V」。 If
I were
an American, I could speak
English with no difficulty. (もし私がアメリカ人だったら、苦労なく英語が話せるのに)←実際は話せない If
it weren’t
for her help, I would not be
able to finish this job. (彼女の助けがなければ、私はこの仕事を終わらせられないでしょう) If only
it would stop
snowing. (雪が止んでさえくれたらなあ) I wish
I could buy
that car. (あの車が買えればいいんだけど)
★仮定法過去完了…過去の事実と反することを表します。
基本型は「If + S + had + 過去分詞, S + 助動詞過去 + have + 過去分詞」。 If
he had not helped
me, my business would have failed
. (もし彼が私を助けてくれていなかったら、私のビジネスは失敗していただろう)←実際は助かった。
応用型 My business would have failed if
he had not helped
me. My business would have failed, had
he not helped
me. Had
he not helped
me, my business would have failed
.
If
you were to
lose your job, would you be able to find another one? (もし、仮に、仕事を失くしたとしたら、次の仕事を見つけられますか?) If
you should
be interested in my proposal, please contact me. (もし、万が一、私の提案に興味があるようでしたら、連絡をください)
★仮定法の条件節では「should」を含み、「if」を省略したパターンがあります。
Should you
be interested in my proposal, please contact me. If
you should
be interested in my proposal, please contact me. Please contact me, should you
be interested in my proposal.
助動詞
★「can」の過去形の「could」は「習慣能力があった」という意味で使われます。 I could
swim very fast when I was young.
★「can」の過去形の「was able to」は「することができて実際にやった」という意味で使われます。 ○She was able to
pass the exam although it was difficult. ×She could
pass the exam although it was difficult.
★「be able to」は「能力、資格」を表すときに使います。「可能性」では使えません。
「能力」 ○I can
swim. ○I am able to
swim.
「可能性」 ○It can
be hot in this area in November. ×It is able to
be hot in this area in November.
★「could have done」は「やろうと思えばできたが、やらなかった」という意味で使われます。 When she went on a trip to Tokyo, she could have stayed
with me, but she put up at a hotel.
★「would like」の過去形は「would have liked」です。 I would have liked
to see her when she came to Tokyo yesterday.
★「Would you mind」の使用法の違い。 Would you mind open
the door? (ドアを開けていただけますか?) Would you mind me open
the door? (ドアを開けてもよろしいでしょうか?)
★「won’t」や「wouldn’t」は否定的な意志を表すことがあります。 She won’t
go to school. (彼女はどうしても学校に行こうとしない) She wouldn’t
go to school. (彼女はどうしても学校に行こうとしなかった)
★「would rather」と「had better」は2語で1つの助動詞と考えるため、否定形の時は注意が必要です。 ・would rather ○would rather not ×would not rather